switchback
/ˈswɪtʃbæk/
noun
- A sharp, zigzag turn in a road, trail, or railway, especially on a steep slope.
- Hikers followed the switchback trail up the steep hillside.
- The mountain road had many switchbacks that made the drive slow.
- The train climbed the mountain using a series of switchbacks.
- A road, path, or route that has many such sharp turns.
- They built a new switchback to make the climb easier for cyclists.
- The switchback through the canyon offered stunning views at every turn.
- Driving the switchback required careful attention to the road.
verb
- To move in a zigzag pattern, especially along a steep slope.
- We switchbacked through the forest to avoid the steepest parts.
- The trail switchbacks down the cliff to the beach below.
- The road switchbacks up the mountain for several miles.